My mind was puzzled with what to write about the last four days I’ve spent in Crete. Beyond the simple joy, beauty and serenity that surround me every time I’m on the island, what really impressed me this time were all the Cretans I met – the people of Crete, to which I dedicate this article. Their story is also the story of the beautiful, special places of Northern Crete – which I will recommend to you.

We arrived in Crete on a cheap and last minute flight, which was surprisingly pleasant due the lack of queues at Ben-Gurion Airport, the half-empty plane, the convenient hours and the quick arrival to our destination. From the moment of landing, every meeting with a service person or citizen in Crete was an empathetic encounter with a smile and courtesy.

And it’s not that they have it too easy, either. Everyone you meet can tell you about the crisis and the financial hardships, but I saw in their eyes the humanity, a consciousness of abundance, an inclination for generosity and mutual responsibility that is not dependent on politics and state laws but on the simplicity of human love and the desire to make others happy, regardless of their financial situation.

Omega Mare

Family apartments right on the beach.

From the airport we arrived at LYGRIA Bay, a 20-minute drive west to the Omega Mare apartment complex. These 4 rooms are simple, and it is important to note that these are not luxurious rooms and their price is not expensive. Their location is perfect, at the edge of the beach about 4 paces from the sea, allowing viewing from the spacious balcony at all times of the day on the bay, sea, bathers and boats. The yard is well maintained with a lawn, flowers everywhere, palm trees and fruit. The perfect OUTDOOR experience.

Indeed, we spent most of the day on the pleasant terrace, sitting around a round table for meals, lounging on sunbeds, reading, eating, talking. The children were playing in the yard and occasionally went down to the beach for a dip. The beach itself has everything you need: a supermarket, a car rental (at the supermarket itself), a diving and sailing center, restaurants and cafes. And the sea, oh the sea, the clear water where you can let your body and mind sink, swim and blend with the blue.

But as I mentioned at the beginning of the post, what stood out most to me was humanity and good treatment. Yorgos, a fan of Israelis and a kind man, went out of his way to help, drive, recommend, and be around for anything.

His place is the perfect spot for those who want to stay close to the capital Heraklion and the airport.

To order rooms contact Nikos, Yorgos’ son through this email address: Antonoman@hotmail.com

I recommend eating at the SIROCCO restaurant on the beach. The service is excellent, the food is excellent, and the owner is sympathetic and a fan of the Israeli soccer group Maccabi Tel Aviv.

MINOS

An awesome Mediterranean restaurant in Heraklion.

In Crete, the sun goes down late, around 9pm. In the evening and in the early evening hours when it is still light and the temperatures are starting to decline, Yorgos took us to Heraklion to eat at a restaurant owned by his sons – MINOS, a Mediterranean Greek restaurant that many Israelis know and love. The restaurant is on the second floor. Fresh and tasty food, with courteous service, there is nothing like eating well and getting to know such a nice family. It’s a good idea to walk around the city’s shops in the evening, air flowing from the sea, everything open and lively, the port area on a beautiful night, the feeling is safe and pleasant, just like home.

TAVERNA SYNOLAKIS

TAVERNA SYNOLAKIS, BALI CRETE

It is very challenging to drive in Crete. Road infrastructure is not as advanced as in Israel, and most vehicles are manual, not automatic. So after about an hour driving we stopped for a lunch break on our way to Rethymno, in the SYNOLAKIS tavern on the side of the road, overlooking the stunning BALI Bay. The owners of the tavern and welcomed us happily, and we sat down to eat. As expected, the food was fresh and delicious, and it was interesting to talk to the owners and hear stories from their life in Crete.

AGIA PELAGIA

a fun day at the beach.

AGIA PELAGIA BAY

The bay near where we stayed is Agia Pelagia – a larger, more densely populated village, with a longer but narrower coastline. We settled on the quieter western end of the coast, and spent a whole day there. This bay, too, is protected from winds, so that the sea is quiet and calm, and of course very clear. We rented a speedboat with a sailboat, ate a souflaki from one of the stands in the shopping street, the children did some snorkeling and we all agreed that this beach is worth at least a day’s visit.

For those who like to pamper themselves, on the cliff at the edge of the beach there is a resort called OUT OF THE BLUE that will provide you with a luxurious accommodation experience. In conclusion, the warm, welcoming atmosphere that the Cretans create is a factor that makes me want to return to Crete every time and discover new places.

For more recommendations for trips to the island of Crete, visit the fantastic blog Masof Carmelit (in Hebrew).